A experimental Mayo, including ten debutants in their starting 15, suffered a two-point defeat (1-21 to 2-16) to NUI Galway in MacHale Park yesterday.

With the majority of the Mayo squad on a team holiday in South Africa, manager Stephen Rochford availed of the opportunity to run the rule over plenty of new faces.

Afterwards the Mayo boss ensured he was not going to add any petrol to the fire which has burned in the county since last year’s All-Ireland final replay defeat and subsequent interview given by the previous management team of Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes.

“The group are in great spirit. We met last Monday before the boys departed for South Africa and there have been big numbers training in South Africa," Rochford said when asked about the fallout to the piece.

“You could see there by the gentlemen that togged out and played today that spirit is very good in Mayo football. It gives great encouragement and optimism for the weeks and months ahead."